New Delhi: The Opposition supported the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2019, which was passed unanimously with a voice vote.

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a Bill on Friday against conversion by force, inducement or through marriages solemnised for the “sole purpose” of adopting a new religion.

Replying to the discussion, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said a new stringent legislation was required as “forced conversion”, especially in Rampur and Kinnaur, was “on the rise.”

The Bill seeks to repeal the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2006, which is on similar lines. The new Bill proposes stringent punishments — up to seven years in jail compared to the three years under the existing law.

The Bill prohibits conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, marriage or any fraudulent means. Any marriage for the sole purpose of conversion will also be declared null and void under Section 5 of the Bill.

Answering Mr. Sukhu’s suggestion, Mr. Thakur said the 13-year old act was not so effective. The government decided to bring a new legislation instead of amending the already-existing Act as it has only eight sections and it would have not better to add about 10 more sections to it, the chief minister said.

As per the Bill, anyone seeking to convert will need to give a month’s notice to the district magistrate, stating that the person is converting on his/her own. The provision figured in the 2006 law as well and was challenged in court.

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